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Aim: A systematic review was conducted to summarize the methylated circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) markers reported over the last decade for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to identify the main technical challenges that are impeding their clinical implementation. Background: CRC is a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide, but early detection is key for successful treatment. Non-invasive methods such as methylated ctDNA testing show promise for improving detection and monitoring of CRC. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed using Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus up to December 30, 2023, limited to articles published in the last 10 years (after 2012), while including advanced adenoma/stage 0 or stage I/II samples in biomarker validation. Results: After identifying 694 articles, removing duplicates and screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, a total of 62 articles were found to meet the inclusion criteria. Among the single biomarkers, MYO1 -G, SEPT9, SDC2, and JAM3 revealed the highest sensitivity for polyps and stage I/II CRC. For multi-biomarkers with suitable sensitivity, combinations of SFRP1, SFRP2, SDC2, PRIMA1, or ALX4, BMP3, NPTX2, RARB, SDC2, SEPT9, VIM or ZFHX4, ZNF334, ELOVL2, UNC5C, LOC146880, SFMBT2, GFRA1 were identified for polyps and stage I/II CRC. Conclusion: Enhancing sensitivity and specificity of molecular screening methods is crucial for improving CRC detection. Identifying a select few valuable biomarkers is key to reducing costs, despite challenges posed by low ctDNA levels in plasma, particularly in early-stage cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder that affects pregnancy, mother, and fetus. Early diagnosis of PE remains a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the association between survivin two (rs9904341 and rs17878467) SNPs and PE risk in healthy pregnant women compared to women with preeclampsia. A sample of 166 healthy pregnant women and 160 cases with preeclampsia was included and genotyped for rs9904341 with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and rs17878467 with amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS) PCR. The genotypic and allelic assessments were performed using various statistical approaches. The frequency of rs9904341 and rs17878467 polymorphisms was not significantly different between PE and healthy pregnant women. rs9904341: codominant (p = 0.5), dominant (p = 0.24), recessive (p = 0.61), over-dominant model (p = 0.38), and log additive (p = 0.25). rs17878467: codominant (p = 0.41), dominant (p = 0.23), recessive (p = 0.4), over-dominant model (p = 0.42), and log additive (p = 0.24). The frequency of survivin rs9904341 CG and CC genotypes was higher in severe PE women compared to controls and this polymorphism was associated with PE severity only in the dominant model (OR = 1.84, CI 1.04–3.26, P = 0.034). There was a significant association between survivin rs9904341 polymorphism and PE severity. No relationship was found between survivin rs9904341 and rs17878467 polymorphisms and PE onset. The allelic and genotypic frequencies of survivin rs9904341 and rs17878467 polymorphisms are not significantly different between the preeclampsia and control groups in all genetic models. Haplotype analysis showed lower frequency G rs9904341 T rs17878467 haplotype in PE woman and this haplotype was associated with lower risk of PE (OR = 0.54, CI 0.33–0.91, P = 0.02). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Twin pregnancies have a higher risk of preterm labor than singletons. Otherwise, progesterone using to reduce the risk of preterm labor in twin pregnancies remains controversial. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of intramuscular progesterone to prevent preterm labor in complicated monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies after Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of one fetus. Methods: Pregnant women with monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies of 16 to 26 weeks of gestational age in an academic center were randomly assigned to receive intramuscular 17-hydroxy progesterone caproate weekly until 36 weeks of gestational age after RFA of one fetus and a control group who did not receive intervention after RFA. Demographic and obstetrical characteristics, as well as maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes were compared between groups. Results: In total, 79 participants were recruited in the study. The mean±SD of gestational age at delivery in case and control groups were 34.6±3.8 and 34.6±5.1 with no significant difference (p=0.967). Neonatal outcomes including birth weight (p=0.870), intensive care unit admission (p=0.415), premature preterm rupture of membrane (p=0.115) and pregnancy outcome (live birth, fetal demise or neonatal death) (p=0.524) were not different either. Indeed, gestational age at delivery was inversely related to cervical length at the time of procedure and maternal body mass index, but these differences were not statistically significant. Also, there was no significant difference in terms of gestational diabetes, which was a worrying complication of 17-hydroxy progesterone caproate. Conclusion: Although 17-hydroxy progesterone caproate seems to be safe with no apparent maternal and neonatal side effects, it does not prolong pregnancy after RFA. Further studies with longer follow up and larger sample size are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have received a lot of attention in the research community due to their unique physical properties, which make them ideal materials for targeted drug delivery systems. In this paper, we describe the synthesis of a non-toxic La-based MOF with 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (3,4-DHCA) as a linker. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) have all been used to characterize it thoroughly. The La-based MOF showed good biocompatibility with the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468. The ability of 3,4-DHCA to treat MDA-MB-468 cells was confirmed by 40.35% cell viability with La-based MOF. Based on the findings, La-based MOF can be recommended as a promising candidate for anticancer delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periconceptional and prenatal care should be continued even during COVID-19 pandemics. Indeed, prevention and intervention programs for managing heart failure with aggressive resuscitation and invasive monitoring help to provide the best outcomes in cardiomyopathies. PPH may be associated with cardiac diseases and the resuscitation measures need modification to prevent maternal mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infertility is a worldwide problem affecting about 15% of couples trying to conceive. Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is one of the major causes of male infertility, diagnosed by reduced sperm motility, and has no effective therapeutic treatment. To date, a few genes have been found to be associated with AZS in humans and mice, but in most of cases its molecular aetiology remains unknown. Genetic causes of AZS may include chromosomal abnormalities, specific mutations of nuclear and mitochondrial genes. However recently, epigenetic factors, altered microRNAs expression signature, and proteomics have shed light on the pathophysiological basis of AZS. This review article summarises the reported genetic causes of AZS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthenozoospermia (AZS), which characterised by reduced forward sperm motility, is a common cause of male infertility. Recently, mitochondrial dysfunction reported in AZS men came to attention for finding the molecular aetiology of AZS. Mitochondria‐related microRNAs (miRNAs) are the most important regulators of mitochondrial function through post‐transcriptionally modulation of gene expression. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the expression of four recently reported mitochondrial‐related miRNAs (miR‐4485‐3p/4484/4461 and 4463) in the sperm sample of asthenozoospermic men. RNA was extracted from spermatozoa of 74 volunteers (39 patients with idiopathic AZS and 35 controls with normal fertility), and relative gene expression analysis was performed by quantitative PCR. We used SNORD48 as a normaliser gene, and quantification was calculated by 2−ΔΔCt method. The expression of miR‐4484 and miR‐4461 was not detected in the spermatozoa of cases and controls. However, miR‐4485‐3p (p =.006) was significantly downregulated in the AZS men compared with the controls, but the miR‐4463 expression was not significantly different between the two groups (p =.5). Bioinformatic analysis identified three target genes for miR‐4485‐3p (DNAH1, KIT and PARK7) that are related to male infertility. In conclusion, the downregulation of miR‐4485‐3p was associated with idiopathic AZS, which could be a molecular link between mitochondrial dysfunction and AZS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthenozoospermia (AZS) which is characterised by decreased sperm motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. Recent studies demonstrated altered microRNAs (miRNAs) in total semen, seminal plasma and spermatozoa of asthenozoospermic men. In line with these studies, it was aimed to evaluate the miRNA expression profile in spermatozoa of unexplained asthenozoospermic men. Thirty‐nine cases with idiopathic AZS and 35 fertile and healthy men as control were included. After total RNA extraction from spermatozoa, high‐throughput sequencing technology was employed to display miRNA profiles in spermatozoa samples pooled from AZS cases and healthy controls. Relative quantification by real‐time PCR was performed to validate RNA‐seq results. SNORD48 was used as normaliser gene, and fold change was calculated by 2−ΔΔCt method. Profiling results showed that 18 altered miRNAs in AZS men in comparison to controls. Subsequently, seven miRNAs were selected to validate by RT‐PCR that showed MiR‐888‐3p significantly overexpressed in AZS cases (p = 0.014) in comparison with controls. It seems upregulation of miR‐888‐3p was associated with idiopathic AZS. This finding paves the way to the future investigation on the actual molecular role of miR‐888‐3p in aetiology of AZS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virulent and resistant strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the most important cause of UTIs in pediatrics. The present study was carried to investigate the frequency of virulence factors in the multi-drug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from pediatrics hospitalized due to the UTIs. One - hundred and forty three urine samples were collected from pediatric patients suffered from UTIs. Samples were cultured and those that were P. aeruginosa positive were analyzed for the presence of putative virulence genes. Seventy one out of 143 samples (49.65%) were positive for P. aeruginosa. Monthly, sex and age-dependent prevalence were seen for P. aeruginosa. Bacterial strains had the highest levels of resistance against ampicillin (95.77%), gentamicin (92.95%) and ciprofloxacin (81.69%). Of 71 P. aeruginosa isolates, 12 strains were resistant to more than 9 antibiotics (16.90%). The most commonly detected virulence factors in the cases of urethral infections were exoU and plcH while those of pyelonephritis and cystitis were were exoS and lasB. Our findings should raise awareness about antibiotic resistance in hospitalized pediatrics with UTIs in Iran. Clinicians should exercise caution in prescribing antibiotics, especially in cases of UTIs. Such information can help in identifying these virulence genes as useful diagnostic markers for clinical P. aeruginosa strains isolated from UTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]